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Green Star SYNERGY sets a new benchmark in office design
May 06, 2010
The groundbreaking design of Citimark Properties' Synergy office building at the heart of Kelvin Grove Urban Village (KGUV) has won the building a number of awards and accolades over the last 12 months.
The awards clearly recognize the development's 5 Star Green Star (Design v2) As Built rating and initiatives, architectural excellence, and contribution to the KGUV master plan vision.
The project, 1.5 kilometers from the CBD, achieved comprehensive market acceptance with 70% of the building leased to the Queensland University of Technology before completion in late 2008.
The property was also purchased by ASX listed Cromwell Group prior to completion.
Citimark's Joint Managing Director, Robert Pullar, believes thea represented recognition for the development's delivery of innovative solutions to meet complex urban planning requirements and challenges.
"Our overall vision was to create a subtropical, efficient office building that not only maintained environmentally sustainable principles, but architecturally enhanced the surrounding precinct.
"Synergy is on one of the most prominent and largest commercial sites in the Village on Musk Avenue and was to set a benchmark in office design and realize the KGUV vision, so the Review Committee wanted a landmark development that also delivered world-class environmental objectives," Mr Pullar said.
Major design features include a 'green' wall along the building's north west façade, glass-enclosed fire stair wells at each end to act as connection points for tenancies while maximising natural light, as well as large, functional floor plates in a dual-wing design to ensure no employee is further than 8.5metres from natural light.
The building is also targeting and on track to achieve a 4.5 Star ABGR (Australian Building Greenhouse Rating – now incorporated under the NABERS scheme) rating.
"We knew that the major costs and impact on the environment relating to running an office building were associated with energy – primarily air conditioning," Mr Pullar said.
"The 6-storey design uses double glazed tinted glass to 90% of the Net Lettable Area, with a revolutionary oil-free air cooling system and increased number of air ducts to provide cleaner, quieter, and more efficient heat control to all tenancies.
"The building has a remotely-controlled management system with a program called Optergy, an operational dream for Synergy's users and owners, which allows web based access to monitor energy efficiency and impact on the environment through a customised interface. This also means faster and more efficient response from utilities contractors and reduced running costs," he said.
Mr Pullar said the various awards were a major achievement for Citimark and added further credibility to the company's reputation for creating innovative, sustainable and well planned developments.
"Feedback from all stakeholders has been very positive. It means we've met the challenge of creating a visually interesting building, we've provided an environmentally sustainable development and we've given Synergy's users a cleaner and more productive work environment."
About Citimark Properties
Citimark Properties is a Brisbane-based property and investment group which has delivered more than $1billion in commercial, industrial, retail and residential projects throughout Australia.
Interesting Facts
Eighteen months on from completion in October 2008, SYNERGY is exceeding all predicted energy savings targets.
- According to independent sustainable design consultants Cundall, SYNERGY was predicted to save 720 tonnes of CO2 per annum through simple principles such as good shading and efficient machinery. The actual building performance is 10% better than these forecasts - equivalent to taking 160 cars off the road per year.
- Innovations such as the dual-wing design and ventilation-promoting light court mean the building is completely in-tune with Brisbane's sub-tropical climate and no employee is more than 8.5metres from a natural light source. This engenders a vibrant, employee-friendly environment that fosters creativity and satisfaction.
- The development was also predicted to save 8.1ML of water per annum through measures such as a 60KL rainwater tank, water efficient fixtures and low water use cooling towers. The actual building performance is 5% better than predicted. This is equivalent to filling 8 Olympic swimming pools with the water saved each year.
- Even the construction process itself realised savings to the environment with 509 tonnes of construction waste diverted away from landfill and back into raw materials to be used in useful products. This represented just over 80% of the total waste created during the construction process.
Awards
- Awarded Green Building Council's 5 Star Green Star (Design v2) As Built rating – only a handful of buildings in Australia have been awarded the 5 Star "As Built" rating.
- Approved for Brisbane City Council's Sustainable Development Grants (Offices) Program
- Runner-up 2009 UDIA Suncorp Awards for Excellence – Retail/Commercial projects over 3000m²
- 4.5 Star ABGR (Australian Building Greenhouse Rating – now incorporated under the NABERS scheme) rating.
Media Contact
Megan Barron, Citimark Properties
Ph: 07 3002 6200 or
Mobile: 0408 744 046
Email: meganb@citimark.com.au